Taliesin struggled against the grasp that Tor had on both of her arms, as he dragged her further and further back into the caves. His hold on her was relentless.
“Let go of me, Tor. We have to goo back and help Nakai.” Taliesin yelled as she struggled to get free.
“There is no time now. Come on.” Yelled Kitara, who was next to Tor, helping him restrain Taliesin.
“We have to! Nakai is in danger!” Taliesin pleaded.
“Holy One. It’s too late for Nakai. Nakai is gone.” Tor said. Taliesin stopped struggling and stared at the man who held her. His eyes had a hint of sadness before they turned to stones. “He sacrificed himself for you.” Tor said bluntly “Your survival is far more important than his. Don’t dishonor him now, by making his sacrifice in vain by getting yourself killed.”
Taliesin stopped and stared at Tor and Kitara, who nodded in agreement. With tears standing in her eyes, Taliesin stopped her struggles and turn her back on the entrance to the cave. “His sacrifice will not be in vain.” Taliesin said lifting her chin, “We will survive, and under Talsia’s guidance, we will prosper and Nakai’s name will forever live on.”
Quickly, Tor took Taliesin and Kitara and the rest of the group farther into the caves. The farther they went, the deeper into the mountains they would go, and the safer they would be.
As they headed into the heart of the caves, Taliesin turned and knelt. She crossed her arms on her chest and raised her face, “Great One.” She called, “Guide and protect our steps, help us to find a way so that we may continue on, Talsia. Protect these caves and mountains. May they be a haven for us till we once again may live in your light.”
Taliesin, my daughter, Talsia’s voice sounded in the caves. Tor and the rest of the company starred at Taliesin in amazement. Know that I am here, and I will guide and protect you. The sacrifices made by those this day will not go unheeded. Rise my child, and face the entrance to the caves. Taliesin rose and faced the way they had just come. Now, let your mind concentrate on my voice only.
Taliesin closed her eyes, “Yes, Talsia.”
The cave was silent for a brief moment, then suddenly there was a brilliant bright light just above Taliesin’s head. It moved down and infused Taliesin completely. Taliesin lifted her arms till her outstretched hands were pointed towards the opening of the caves. A sound of several voices in choral echoed through the caves as the light that infused Taliesin grew brighter than shot through the Holy One’s arms down the passage way to the mouth of the caves. There the light coalesced at the opening, it grew brighter and brighter then slowly faded away.
Now these caves will be a haven for my people. Talsia’s voice sounded from slightly above Taliesin’s head. None, but my people will be able to pass through the opening so long as Taliesin remains alive. Know my children that I do guide and protect you and I have not forsaken you. I am weak, but for as long as I can, I will protect you and none shall harm any of you here.
Then suddenly the voice was gone, leaving all to stare at Taliesin in awe and wonder.
Nakai's head was pounding from where the General's blade connected with his skull. The pounding seemed to be getting worse, the more conscious he became. Though, Nakai was pretty sure that the bouncing of his head against the saddle wasn't helping matters. A warm trickle of blood made its way down the side of Nakai's head, ending in his mouth, leaving a distinctly metallic taste. He was parched and hungry, and he wondered absently how long it had been since the last time he had eaten.
Nakai cursed silently as his body slid down the saddle and the ropes that were binding him bit further into his skin. Any hope of escape while they were moving was dashed, as he became painfully aware of every rope that was binding him.
"Well, Well, Well." Lady Rose said with a smile, as she turned to her prisoner after hearing him grunt in pain. "Look who is awake." Nakai lifted his head and glared at the General, as she laughed raucously at him. "Is something the matter, Talsian?" She asked in glee. Nakai didn't answer, just continued to stare at Lady Rose. "Hmmm ... not talking? All the better I suppose. I don't like it when my slave's talk, none of you seem to have anything intelligent to say anyhow."
Lady Rose smiled, as Nakai struggled against his bonds. "Oh no, dear one. You are MINE! You will never escape me, do you understand Slave?" Nakai refused to answer Lady Rose. Infuriated, she jumped down from her horse and grabbed Nakai's hair forcing his head backwards. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Lady Rose screamed.
Nakai looked up at the woman, trying desperately not to cry out in pain as the ropes bit into him further. "I will NEVER serve you, barbarian." He spit back into the general's face.
Lady Rose screeched in outrage and smacked the back of Nakai's head sending him back into unconsciousness. "Worthless peace of skin." She grumbled, as she turned to the other soldiers that had stopped behind her. "Make camp. We will stay here and set out early tomorrow." She yelled, then walked off angrily.
Several hours later, Nakai started to come too again. It had turned to night, during the time that he was unconscious and tents had been set up around him. Slowly he attempted to raise himself to a siting position, only to find that his legs had been bound from his feet all the way up to his thighs, and his arms were bound around behind his back. He looked down to see a chain dangling from his neck that led to a stake in the ground.
"Well, I must have really left an impression with the General." Nakai sighed, as he struggled into a sitting position.
He looked around at the camp, trying to get his bearings. Directly in front of him was a campfire with several of the Shadarian soldiers sitting around it, talking and laughing. Several more were milling around amongst the tents. Off to Nakai's right were the other Talsians that had been captured. They were similarly chained, and heavily guarded by Shadarian soldiers.
As Nakai watched, he wondered why he hadn't been chained with the others. It wasn't long before he found out why. Lady Rose came out of the tent that Nakai was chained in front of and kicked him squarely in the stomach.
“I see you have decided to join us again. What’s wrong, warrior? Feeling a little sick are you? Does your head hurt?” She asked as she viciously grabbed Nakai’s hair and yanked his head backwards.
Nakai grunted in pain, but kept his face like stone. “Not at all, barbarian. I am fine.” He said in as straight a voice as he could manage.
“Oh good. I am so glad to hear that you are fine. I wouldn’t want my pet to be damaged. After all … what good is damaged goods anyhow?” Lady Rose sneered. She looked down at Nakai with contempt. "It doesn't matter that she got away." She mocked.
A look of concern crossed Nakai, as he suddenly worried for Tally's safety. Quickly, he put a blank look on his face, "What do you mean?"
"Don't play stupid with me." Lady Rose said with disgust. "The Holy One that you were protecting, the one that you sacrificed yourself for. She may have gotten away from us, but her life no longer matters. It will mean nothing now that we have The Chosen One."
"Alia?!" Nakai blurted out as he jerked his head up suddenly.
Lady Rose laughed wickedly, "Is that the girl's name? Alia? Yes, Alia. It's over now, all of this. Your fates are sealed, Talsian. Not that it was ever in any question."
Nakai struggled angrily against his chains as fire burned through him. "It isn't over. It will NEVER be over!"
"Oh yes, it will. Your Goddess will fade away and eventually even your children will not remember her name. They will learn who the true God is, and will be brought up to worship him. Your people will serve us, just as you will serve me."
"I will NEVER serve you, Shadarian witch.” Nakai retorted through clenched teeth. “I will die first."
Lady Rose stared at the man for a moment. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't just accept the truth. He had conviction, she would give him that. Straightening herself, she kicked him directly in the stomach, sending him to the ground, doubled over in pain. Bringing her arm down quickly, she flattened him as her forearm and elbow hit him square in the back. Lady Rose grabbed Nakai and pulled his head back by his hair and placed her dagger against his neck, "You will serve me. I am your Mistress now. And you will learn your place, Slave." She growled. Spitting in his face, she released him and disappeared back into her tent.
Several days later, Lady Rose pounded up the hill pressing her horse as fast as she could. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, as the pace that she had set ate up the miles. Next to her, on a horse that was guided by the General, rode Nakai, who had been bound to his saddle, with his hands tied behind his back. He wanted to laugh at the steps she went too to make sure he didn’t escape. He obviously was a great prize for the General, and she wasn’t taking any chances. He had certainly been looking for opportunities, but none had presented themselves. As the time and miles went by, Nakai began to get nervous. He could tell by the General’s change in mood and pace that they were getting closer to their destination. If he didn’t escape soon, it was going to be next to impossible once they got to Ka’s imperial city.
The two of them crested the hill and Lady Rose reigned in both horses. There were quite a ways out in front of the rest of the army and Nakai hoped that she was just stopping to allow the others a chance to catch up with her. His hopes were soon dashed, as he followed Lady Rose’s gaze down the hill to the valley floor. There, out in the distance, stood the place of his nightmares. The city he had hoped he would never have to set eyes on.
Lady Rose smiled as she watched the last of Nakai’s hope and will drain out of him. “What do you think of your knew home, Slave?” She taunted him.
Nakai glared at the general, but refused to answer her. Desperately he searched for a way to escape before they reached the city. To his dismay, he couldn’t find anything to help him out of his predicament.
“I asked you a question, Talsian.” Lady Rose demanded, as she moved her horse in a few feet closer. Suddenly, her leg swung out and she leveled a swift kick to Nakai’s side. Nakai grunted and slumped slightly in his saddle. What he wouldn’t give to reach out and wrap his hands around the Generals neck. To feel her life draining away, as his hands squeezed together.
What am I doing? he started to berate himself. Will I fall to the level of these barbarians and let nothing but war and hate guide me through life? Will I turn away from Talsia and everything I love and hold dear? Will I turn away from Alia? Nakai shook his head and sighed pushing the thoughts of hate and anger out of his mind.
“This is not my home.” Nakai answered finally through clenched teeth.
“It is now, and will be for the rest of your life. The sooner you accept your position as slave, the easier it will be.” Lady Rose said pointedly. “Come on we have an appointment with my Empress and your Chosen One.” She grinned and spurred their horses on.
